That Time I Took Doug’s Advice

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My DPC practice is closing in on its first year and it has been a heck of a learning curve. All of us new to this DPC thing stand on the shoulders of giants. So, like any good newbie, I started taking cues from the old heads long before opening the doors to Seeds of Health. Part way through the first year I picked up Slowing the Churn in Direct Primary by Douglas Farrago (have you heard of him). It’s a very concise book, yet I read it slowly. Some of the wisdom can be tough to swallow or overwhelming. Nonetheless, I took a leap of faith after reading chapter 14 and decided to host a Christmas party for my patient (what a novel idea … it had not occurred to me). It was already well into November when I decided to read this part of the book, but how hard could it be?

However, once planning began, I found myself overwhelmed with anxiety. I started to overthink every detail: Should I give personalized gifts? Should I have a big spread of fancy treats? Would it be enough to make them feel truly appreciated?

I couldn’t shake the feeling that it had to be perfect. I would love to say that I had an epiphany and decided to keep it simple; however, that would have been too easy. (Still learning that easy is often best). The vendor goofed my catering order the night before the party. Fortunately, I had overprepared by purchasing some items from Costco. The morning of the party, already flustered because my help had fallen through, I quickly set up things at the office before running across the road to lead our monthly walking event. When I returned to the office after the walk, I was greeted by my lovely, festive assistant, who had prettied up things a bit in my absence. My shoulders dropped, and I settled into being present. You see, my anxiety didn’t subside until the party was underway. It wasn’t until then that I remembered Doug’s advice: Hosting aparty—creating space to celebrate and connect—was enough. I didn’t need to make it a production to make it meaningful.

It was not over the top—a genuine effort to unite everyone. And you know what? It was more than enough.

Our patients were incredibly kind and grateful, not for elaborate details but for the thought and effort behind the gathering. They appreciated the gesture, the connection, and the opportunity to be celebrated.

This experience taught me something powerful: we often create unnecessary pressure by assuming people expect more than they do. Hosting this party reminded me that showing up, creating a welcoming space, and being present is often all it takes to make a meaningful impact—not much different from what we offer in DPC.

I’m carrying that lesson with me as I reflect on this season. Sometimes, the simplest gestures—done with intention—mean the most. It’s not about perfection; it’s about connection.

And this year, that was the greatest gift of all.

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About Angela Andrews, MD

Dr. Angela Andrews is a board-certified Internal Medicine and Pediatrics physician, health coach, wife, mom, and lifelong athlete. When not spending time with her family or caring for her patients, she is training for her next competition. Dr. Andrews graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Biomedical Engineering and worked at General Electric Healthcare Wisconsin for nearly five years before returning to her dream of becoming a doctor. She received her medical degree from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. She completed her Med-Peds residency at the Detroit Medical Center & Children's Hospital of Michigan in Detroit, MI. After 8 years in the system, Dr. Andrews opened Seeds of Health Direct Primary Care in Grand Rapids, MI in February 2014. Her personal journey with fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle medicine training was a key factor in her decision. She spent years trying to figure out how to incorporate this experience into a “standard” clinical practice, before finding a natural fit within Direct Primary Care. Dr. Andrews is passionate about helping patients address the root cause of their mental and physical conditions and guiding them to cultivate healthy habits around exercise, good nutrition, and mental well-being. Dr. Andrews lives in Byron Center, Michigan, with her husband and exercise companion, Joseph VanEss, their son, Myles, and her two bonus children, Griffen and Quinne. She engages in various fitness activities (CrossFit, running, swimming, yoga, and bodybuilding) and enjoys gardening, tackling projects around the house, and building things out of wood.